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Airman court-martialed for dereliction of duty, DUI

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An 18th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Airman was found guilty March 13 for driving under the influence of alcohol and failing to maintain current vehicle property damage insurance.

Senior Airman Banks was charged under Article 111, drunken operation of a vehicle. On Dec. 8, 2006, security forces found Airman Banks sitting outside his car, which he drove onto a curb on Douglas Boulevard near the intersection with Kuter Boulevard. He failed a breathalyzer test.

Airman Banks also violated Article 92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, dereliction of duty, for failing to maintain the proper vehicle insurance, which is required by 18th Wing policy. His insurance expired in September 2006 and had not been renewed.

"The accused's act -- wrecking his car while almost two and a half times over the legal drinking limit -- is the very act that makes drunk driving a danger to the community and a serious crime," said Capt. Clayton O'Connor, trial counsel in the case.

Airman Banks was tried by a special court martial and found guilty on both charges. The maximum punishment in a special court martial is reduction in rank to E-1, confinement for nine months, forfeiture of two-thirds of his pay each month for up to one year and a bad-conduct discharge.

Airman Banks' sentence was a reprimand, reduction in rank to E-1 and confinement for two months.

(Courtesy of the 18th Wing legal office)